New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-17
A NEW NPERETrA

III the evidences had not been plentiful that large
fraction OF the audience In the Star Theatre
last night had another than artistic Interest In the
operetta called 1.-THE Pyramid" which hal Its
first representation under the direction OF Its composer
Charles Puerner the applause bestowed upon the work
would have given It the stamp Of great success But
there was much appreciation OF weak musical num-
bers and too much laughter at the inane Efforts al
humOr % permit an unbiased observer 10 accept inc
demonstrations as tokens OF aesthetic Judgment Yet II
f. not to be maryeed at that the audience should
have gone TO the theatre with kindly dspOs'-
ton toward the work that this kndlIness OF feeling
should have grown during the evening Mr. Puerner Is
an unnssunlng, minded musician who has
worked long tho field OF operetts writing without be-
holding fruits and those who know him personally or
by reputation would be glad his ZEAL patience and
talent rewarded Eyderly he has friends who believe
that tho reward Il 10 come from The Pyramid
'or they have enabled him % present the work In
sumptuous aud beautiful manner. and have cared for
adequate ara striking announcements OF ~ ,,
Mr. PueTner Ia known To the musical ana "arlca pro
LESSONS the conductor or the orchestra ~ tue tt
Avenue Theatre The book OF hts operetta IS he JOIN.
work OF himself and Caryl torio IL Is scarcely worth
mention for anything beyond The fundamental idea OF the
plot which Is like that which II was said year ago
occupying the attention oi Messrs gilbert ana sur
Ivan. The lays In Egypt. ana the COMEDY grows
pyramid on the day whenlt nummhed hnaDltahts waAe
FOR brief period Of life which Is youchased them once
as written this all turns out 70 Do dream; ons
such outcome involves an ekceednHy
awkward ana uudfAuaLO cNpcuieul IL WINS m'Soi1
omitted last night or drama there Is nothing III the
book The people walk through the play aid those who
are talented singers faCical actors make as iucn
music aud fun they AM then await the fa OF the
curtain. The dialogue IL without SKILL spirit or VIII ana
scarcely effort Is made NJ that
sa,irca perslage with which one can easily
imagine Mr. Gilbert would have peppered book made
ON such subject The lines foo music are equally value
lcsA They the only purpose for which they are
fitted they viewed merely as stalking horses
for the music. The passing glimpse at something
when indicated a sense Of humOr ma well as skill In
writing vOuchsaied by lnterpolated topical song
sung by Mr. Frank David.
command OF ihynmical Clements But numbers ike the
the opening chorls % the second act ana the
tenor solo which follows, well the madrgal tMr
Puerner goes Messrs Gilbert aud sullivan fOrsome OF
| "A talent for this kind OF writing ID their eXecu-
ton. The whole score, TOO, Is orche9lrated Win
deeacy and skill though fances that the local color
which every musician who has studied orchestratm Is
supposed TO have ut his command. would have had ap
propriae place I'm tho work the reflection that IL can
only looked upon farce not real comedy makes
the oss less felt than II would have been with better
| book
on course such an operetta implies picturesque
stage decorations and handsome women IN brightly
coOred and elegant costumes And they are not wanting
The scenes th In number and might all be borrowed
from Aida" since Mr. Puerner has conceived the In
instead OF burial vault The set for tue second
act n TIM banks OF the Nie was much
admired last night Tho musical talent
Of the company is practically nonopolized
taste and tho hstronc by Mr. Frank David. who as
RdnSes XXYIf, exceedingly comca in makeup and
asronshingly nimbie and graceful as dancer. Miss
Helen Snndsh aud tho majority OF the women ch0risers
comely. and this VIII perhaps be set down AZ merit
In work which has good music enough in It to deserve